Nexus Select Trust, India’s largest retail real estate platform, has announced the successful rejuvenation and handover of its 10th lake under its flagship ESG initiative Lakes of Happyness. Launched in 2022, the program aims to revive 15 lakes by FY2026, addressing India’s vanishing urban and rural water bodies through sustainable, community-driven methods.
So far, 10 lakes across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have been restored, benefiting over 100,000 people in 100+ villages and communities. The latest milestone was achieved in Hyderabad, where the 21-acre Gurunath Cheruvu lake in Miyapur has been fully rejuvenated and handed over to the local society for recreational use.
Dalip Sehgal, CEO of Nexus Select Trust, said, “Water scarcity is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human one. When a lake revives, life revives.”
The initiative stands out for its reach beyond Nexus malls, targeting drought-prone farmlands in Chalisgaon, temple-linked ecosystems in Chennai, and wildlife corridors in Bengaluru. Partnering with water conservationists like Anand Malligavad and Gunwant Sonawane, Nexus has employed traditional restoration methods such as de-silting, deepening basins, planting native species, and rebuilding natural catchments.
Impact so far:
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Groundwater levels increased up to 1.5x in drought-hit belts.
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20 dry wells refilled, restoring hundreds of acres of farmland.
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Biodiversity flourished with migratory birds and native flora returning.
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Reduced community migration as families gained year-round access to drinking water.
Jayen Naik, President – Operations, Nexus Select Trust, added, “Every lake we’ve restored has become the heart of its community again, recharging groundwater, improving crops, and reconnecting people to nature.”
With the Hyderabad handover marking the halfway point, Nexus Select Trust remains committed to rejuvenating 15 lakes by FY2026, reinforcing its vision of sustainable development, community resilience, and environmental stewardship.
